St. Louis - Saint Louis held Texas Pan American to 25.5 percent shooting in a 57-42 triumph over the Broncs tonight in a non-conference men's basketball game at Savvis Center. Billiken seniors Marque Perry and Chris Braun combined for 36 points as the Bills posted their first homecourt victory in three attempts.
"We've been trying to convince our guys that if we are to win at a high level, then we must defend at a high level," Billiken first-year head coach Brad Soderberg said. "Any time that you hold a team to 25 percent and allow their leading scorer only one shot, that's huge."
The Billikens ground out a 20-14 halftime edge by limiting the Broncs to just three points in the last 11:52 of the first session. The Bills were unable to bury the Broncs early as only Marque Perry could knock down a basket in the last 5:44 of the half. The Bills hurt themselves by turning the ball over nine times in the half.
The Billikens opened a 34-18 lead on Perry's bucket at the 13:45 mark, but UTPA stayed in the game on the 26-point effort of guard Kevin Mitchell. The Broncs closed to within 41-33 on guard Eric Montalvo's two free throws with 6:10 to play.
Saint Louis responded by driving the ball to the goal and began a march to the free throw line. In a span of 4:30, Perry drained four free throws. Josh Fisher knocked in three of four tosses, and Braun added a pair. Leading 50-33 with 1:59 remaining, the Bills were home free.
Braun finished with 16 points, one shy of his career high. He also blocked three shots in 24 minutes, which was his most extensive playing time of the year.
"One thing I've discovered about Chris Braun, in the little more than a year that I've had to work with him, is that when he's rolling, he'll keep rolling," Soderberg said. "You've got to play Chris Braun card while you have it, because it's a good one."
Perry led the Bills with 20 points and shot 70 percent from the floor. As a team, the Bills shot 47.5 percent from the field despite going 0-8 from three. Junior swingman Chris Sloan grabbed a career-high eight boards as the Bills claimed a 34-31 edge on the glass.
Mitchell was the only Bronco in double figures as Pan American (2-5) lost its third straight game.
The Billikens (2-3) return to Savvis on Sat., Dec. 14, when Dayton visits for a 1:10 p.m. start.
